Josh Hader "Back To Normal" From Shoulder Injury

"The Astros played the final two months of the 2025 season without their star closer. Josh Hader suffered an ill-timed capsule sprain in his throwing shoulder a couple weeks into August. The injury came too late into the season for the front office to respond with an impact trade addition. Hader expressed hope that he could make a long shot return in the playoffs, but the Astros struggled down the stretch and found themselves on the outside looking in during the final weekend."

"The Astros have maintained they expect Hader to be able to return without going under the knife. General manager Dana Brown said at the GM Meetings that the team was hopeful the six-time All-Star would be ready for Opening Day. Hader offered similar sentiments this evening, saying he's in a good spot after completing a throwing program a few weeks ago. "It should be normal. Obviously, intensity gets up (in Spring Training) and we'll see how that goes and how I'm recovering, bouncing back from that," the veteran lefty said (link via Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle)."

Josh Hader suffered a capsule sprain in his throwing shoulder in early August and missed the final two months of the 2025 season. The injury occurred too late for the Astros to pursue an impactful trade replacement. Team officials say they expect Hader to avoid surgery and return during the next season, with general manager Dana Brown expressing hope he will be ready for Opening Day. Hader completed a throwing program and described his current status as back to normal while noting Spring Training intensity will determine recovery progress. Before the injury Hader had a 2.05 ERA, a 37 percent strikeout rate, and converted 28 of 29 save opportunities across 52 2/3 innings.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors